Knowsley Replacement Unitary Development Plan - Knowsley Council

URBAN GREENSPACE, SPORT AND RECREATION
URBAN GREENSPACE, SPORT AND RECREATION
EXPLANATION OS3
10.12
Policy OS3 sets minimum quantitative standards for
the provision of public open space (“POS”) for use for
general amenity or children’s play. It does not cover
playing pitches and other formal sporting facilities,
which are the subject of policy OS4. New development
within or affecting general amenity public open space
must satisfy the quantitative standards set by
policy OS3 as well as the qualitative criteria provided
by policy OS2.
DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACES
WITHIN KNOWSLEY
10.13
Compared to many other Metropolitan areas,
Knowsley has a good supply of public open space.
Its distribution is, however, uneven within the
Borough, with the post-war overspill estates
generally having a good provision. At the other end of
the scale, in the older parts of the Borough which
include many inter-war estates, residential
development is denser and open space can be in
short supply.
10.14
To operate the standards set by policy OS3, the
Council has split the residential parts of the Borough
into areas known as “Substantial Residential Areas”
(“SRAs”). These are residential neighbourhoods that
should be self-sufficient in accessible local public
open space, the boundaries of which have been
drawn along barriers to pedestrian access, such as
main roads and railway lines.
10.15
The standards aim to ensure that a more equitable
and adequate distribution of POS across the Borough
may be achieved over time - no SRA should fall below
an acceptable level of provision. In calculating
whether an SRA complies with the standard, all
forms of public open space except formal sports
facilities, e.g. playing fields, tennis courts, bowling
greens, etc. are taken into account. The Council will
adopt a Supplementary Planning Document which
will describe the boundaries of the SRAs and other
detailed matters concerning the operation of
this policy.
PROXIMITY TO CHILDREN’S PLAY SPACES
10.16
In addition to meeting the area-based standards set
by the first part of the policy, policy OS3 requires that
housing development (either existing or new) should
have access to amenity greenspace, allotments and
children’s play space within a catchment distance that
is appropriate for the users. Accessibility standards in
the form of travel distance by different forms of
transport will be set out in a Supplementary Planning
Document. In operating the standard for children’s
play space the Council will ensure that the walking
route itself is safe and convenient.
POLICY LINKS
Policy OS2
“Urban Greenspace”
Policy OS4
“Protection of Playing Pitches and Other Formal
Sporting Facilities”
Policy OS5
“Public Open Space and Recreational Facilities to
Meet the Needs of New Development”
POLICY OS4:
PROTECTION OF PLAYING PITCHES AND OTHER
FORMAL SPORTING FACILITIES
1. Where a new development would lead to the
partial or complete loss of an existing playing
pitch or other formal sporting facility, the
applicant will be expected to demonstrate that
at least one of the criteria listed below is met:
a) There is an excess of provision for the
sporting use in the area and no evidence of
future or continuing need;
b) The proposal is for facilities ancillary to the
principal use of the site as a sporting facility;
c) The proposed development would affect only
land incapable of forming part of the facility;
d) Alternative provision of at least equivalent
quality, quantity, fitness for purpose and
accessibility is proposed; or
e) The proposal is for a development of such
benefit to sporting interests that it
outweighs the loss of the existing facility.
2. Irrespective of whether any of the criteria set
within 1) above are met, development affecting
an existing playing pitch or other formal
sporting facility will not be permitted if it would
result in any of the community areas having
less than 1.85 hectares of playing pitches and
other formal sporting facilities provision per
thousand residents available for public use.
3. In any part of the Borough where provision
falls below the standards set in 2) above, the
loss by development of any greenspace
(irrespective of its current use) which would be
suitable in terms of its size, location and
character, to help to make good the deficiency
will not be permitted.
EXPLANATION OS4
10.17
Policy OS4 seeks to protect from development
existing playing pitches and other formal sporting
facilities which are needed by the community.
The policy will apply to the following:
• Grass playing pitches, whether public or private.
It will apply equally to single pitches and to
groups of pitches, and related land required for
the use of the pitch;
• Artificial playing pitches, mini and junior soccer
and five a side pitches;
• Other outdoor facilities such as golf courses,
bowling greens and tennis courts;
• Indoor sporting and recreational facilities of all
types; and
• Any land which may be currently vacant but that
has been in use for sport or recreation within five
years of the planning application being made.
ASSESSMENT OF NEED FOR THE FACILITY
10.18
Where a planning application is submitted for a
development that would lead to the total or partial
loss of an existing facility the Council will assess
whether that facility is surplus to requirements by
reference to its "Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Needs Assessment and Strategy". The applicant may
seek to demonstrate through an independent
assessment whether the facility is needed.
This assessment should address both the quantity
and quality of provision in the area, and the
methodology should be agreed with the local
planning authority in advance of the study
commencing. For example, in the case of grass
playing pitches, other playing pitches within the area
may be unusable at certain times of the year because
they may be waterlogged. In these circumstances it
would be appropriate to consider the number of
games that can be accommodated in reality rather
than the theoretical capacity of the pitch. Planning
permission will not be granted unless the Council is
satisfied either that the facility is no longer needed or
that one of the other criteria listed within 1 b) to 1 e)
within policy OS4 are met.
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KNOWSLEY REPLACEMENT UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Adopted June 2006
KNOWSLEY REPLACEMENT UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Adopted June 2006
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